Shloka 52
Prahlāda Rejects Demonic Diplomacy and Proclaims Navadhā Bhakti
धर्ममर्थं च कामं च नितरां चानुपूर्वश: । प्रह्रादायोचतू राजन्प्रश्रितावनताय च ॥ ५२ ॥
dharmam arthaṁ ca kāmaṁ ca nitarāṁ cānupūrvaśaḥ prahrādāyocatū rājan praśritāvanatāya ca
त्यानंतर, हे राजन्, शंड व अमर्क यांनी अत्यंत नम्र व आज्ञाधारक प्रह्लादाला क्रमाने व अखंडपणे धर्म, अर्थ आणि काम—या लौकिक पुरुषार्थांचे शिक्षण दिले।
There are four processes for human society — dharma, artha, kāma and mokṣa — and they culminate in liberation. Human society must follow a process of religion to advance, and on the basis of religion one should try to develop his economic condition so that he can fulfill his needs for sense gratification according to the religious rules and regulations. Then liberation from material bondage will be easier to attain. That is the Vedic process. When one is above the stages of dharma, artha, kāma and mokṣa, one becomes a devotee. He is then on the platform from which he is guaranteed not to fall again to material existence ( yad gatvā na nivartante ). As advised in Bhagavad-gītā if one transcends these four processes and is actually liberated, one engages in devotional service. Then he is guaranteed not to fall to material existence again.
FAQs
This verse shows Prahlāda being taught the standard goals—dharma, artha, and kāma—in a formal, step-by-step way, setting the stage for Bhagavatam’s contrast between ordinary material aims and pure bhakti.
As teachers appointed for a royal/princely education, they tried to train Prahlāda in conventional statecraft and worldly success, not realizing his heart was fixed on devotion to Lord Viṣṇu.
Learn and use worldly duties and skills, but keep them subordinate to spiritual purpose—cultivate humility like Prahlāda and prioritize devotion over mere achievement or enjoyment.